CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Johnson City, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Johnson City
87.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Johnson City is slightly cheaper than Bismarck — 3.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $77,300 in Johnson City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing24.8%
Bismarck
84
Johnson City
63.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bismarck
95.7
Johnson City
96.2
🚗 Transportation+4.4%
Bismarck
95.7
Johnson City
99.9
🏥 Healthcare+4.4%
Bismarck
86.6
Johnson City
90.4
Utilities4.1%
Bismarck
75
Johnson City
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bismarck to see what you'd need to earn in Johnson City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Johnson City, TN
$77,300
$2,700 less needed in Johnson City

Formula: salary × (87.9 ÷ 91) = salary × 0.9659. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Johnson City, TN

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
63.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1×

Bismarck has 24.8% lower housing costs compared to Johnson City.

Income & Job Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

Johnson City, TN

Median Household Income
$56,800
Per Capita Income
$32,400
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
68,006
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Johnson City, TN
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.